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A farewell ceremony was held at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Tuesday for Sudthisak Rinthalak before his body was flown back to Thailand for burial. Photo: AP
Thailand

‘May he rest in peace’: remains of last Thai hostage in Gaza repatriated

Sudthisak Rinthalak’s remains returned to Thailand after being held in Gaza since 2023, allowing his family to perform funeral rites.

War and conflict

RSF says Israel killed highest number of journalists again this year

Middle East

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

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Israel-Gaza war

Trump UN envoy, EU chief in Jordan to discuss Gaza aid as Israel eyes next phase

Diplomatic visits to Jordan came as Israeli PM Netanyahu says the second phase of the US-sponsored ceasefire could begin soon.

Destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip. Photo: AP
Destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

Gaza truce incomplete without ‘full withdrawal’ by Israel: Qatar PM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says Qatar and fellow truce guarantors are ‘getting together’ to advance the next phase of the deal.

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US Navy

Investigations reveal combat stress a key factor in costly US Navy mishaps

Reports show mission against Yemen’s Houthis took a toll on the US Navy, highlighting a friendly fire incident, loss of three jets and a ship collision.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

A person waves Israel’s national flag while watching Israeli singer Yuval Raphael perform at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: AFP
A person waves Israel’s national flag while watching Israeli singer Yuval Raphael perform at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

Israel-Gaza war

Israel receives body from Hamas, says Rafah crossing could soon open

The handover of the final two deceased hostages is an important condition of the first part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

Middle East

Lebanon and Israel hold first direct civilian talks in decades

Talks were held days after the first anniversary of the start of the fragile truce between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Lebanese army soldiers stand atop a military vehicle overlooking Hanita, an Israeli military base, near the border with Israel in southern Lebanon, last month. Photo: EPA
Singapore

Saudi adviser lauds parallels with Singapore in modernisation efforts

Mohammed Khalid Alyahya cites the late Singaporean leader’s pragmatic and results-driven governance as a template for Saudi Arabia’s ambitions.

The Riyadh city centre from the terrace of the Al Faisaliah Tower. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2023 aims to diversify the country’s economy into a global, modern powerhouse. Photo: dpa/Getty Images
The Riyadh city centre from the terrace of the Al Faisaliah Tower. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2023 aims to diversify the country’s economy into a global, modern powerhouse. Photo: dpa/Getty Images
Middle East

‘No calm in Beirut’ as more Israeli strikes expected after Hezbollah ultimatum

Israel’s ultimatum to Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah by New Year’s Eve is more about political pressure than an invasion plan, analysts say.

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Israel-Gaza war

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Another invitation to Israel’s leader was issued after Syria’s president made a historic visit to the White House a few weeks ago.

Israel

Israel’s Netanyahu seeks presidential pardon in corruption cases

The Israeli leader, who was indicted in 2019 on corruption charges, has long denied allegations against him.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Pope Leo urges Lebanon’s leaders to unite for peace

The first US pope arrived in Beirut from Istanbul, where sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope.

Pope Leo XIV and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun shake hands as they meet at the Presidential Palace during Leo’s first apostolic journey, in Baabda, Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Pope Leo XIV and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun shake hands as they meet at the Presidential Palace during Leo’s first apostolic journey, in Baabda, Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Egypt trains hundreds of Palestinian officers to police post-war Gaza

Palestinian movements have agreed to a force of around 10,000 officers but Israel opposes Hamas or Palestinian Authority involvement in Gaza.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israeli drone attack kills two children in Gaza, say medics

Over 350 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire came into effect on October 10, with more than 70,000 killed since the war began.

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Middle East

Hezbollah leader leaves open possibility of new war with Israel

The group’s top military commander was killed days ago in an Israeli attack, and the militants say they have a right to retaliate.

Hezbollah supporters hold images of late leader Hassan Nasrallah and current leader Naim Qassem on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, in September. Photo: Reuters
Hezbollah supporters hold images of late leader Hassan Nasrallah and current leader Naim Qassem on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, in September. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian men in West Bank after they appear to surrender

The Israeli army says its investigating the circumstances in which two Palestinians were shot dead.

Turkey

Pope warns ‘piecemeal’ third world war ‘threatening’ humanity

In Ankara, Pope Leo urged for global peace amid rising conflicts and geopolitical tensions during his first trip outside Italy.

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli generals dismissed over failures from Hamas’ deadly attack

The firings come amid growing pressure for an inquiry and revelations of systemic military flaws to prevent the October 7, 2023, assault.

Palestinians take control of an Israeli tank after crossing the border fence with Israel from Khan Younis on October 7, 2023. Photo: dpa
Saudi Arabia

The China factor behind Trump’s decision to upgrade Saudi air power

The deal swaps F-35 jets for ‘guardrails’ on Chinese tech in the Gulf, analysts say – with Israel assured its military edge is safe.

Two F-35B fighter jets of the US Marine Corps fly in formation over Puerto Rico on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Two F-35B fighter jets of the US Marine Corps fly in formation over Puerto Rico on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Hezbollah military chief killed in Israeli strike on Beirut

Israel’s prime minister said Hezbollah’s Haytham Tabtabai was leading efforts to rebuild the militant group’s strength.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israeli air strikes kill at least 20 in Gaza, in latest test of ceasefire

The military says it was responding to a gunman crossing into Israeli-held territory, but Hamas called the allegation ‘an excuse to kill’.

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Donald Trump

Khashoggi’s widow and Democrats demand release of ‘shocking’ Trump-Saudi call

The call with the Saudi crown prince after Khashoggi’s killing involved a quid pro quo, US congressman Eugene Vindman says.

Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the wife of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, speaks at a news conference in Washington on Friday. Photo: AFP
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